http://www.somersetcountypoliceacademy.com/

                                                                                        

Richard Celeste, Ed.D.

Academy Director

Deputy Chief,
Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office (Ret.)

E-mail: celeste@co.somerset.nj.us                                   

Office Phone: (908) 575-3379

 

 

Dr. Celeste retired in 2002 after serving 26 years in law enforcement with 11 years as an officer with the Bridgewater Township Police Department and 16 years with the SCPO, where he retired as Deputy Chief. Academy Dr. Richard Celeste is the senior most Director in NJ with 21 years overseeing the Academy. He holds a Masters and Doctorate Degree in Education and has authored the handbook titled, “The Challenge Program, An Administrator’s Guide for Conducting A Comprehensive Police Recruit Training Program.” This handbook is the training model at the Somerset County Police Academy and is used by many academies across the nation as well as other New Jersey academies. Dr. Celeste is certified as an expert witness/consultant in the all areas of law enforcement training, with specific emphasis in the use of force, which he has lectured nationally on. Dr. Celeste is an adjunct professor at Raritan Valley Community College.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Brown III, M.A.

Continuing Education Operations Coordinator

Detective Sergeant

Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office

E-mail: wbrown@co.somerset.nj.us

Office Phone: (908) 541-5035

 

 

Detective Sergeant Brown, a graduate of the Somerset County Police Academy (class 03-89), began his law enforcement career in 1983 as a Marine Security Guard at Marine Barracks Panama Canal. He was later assigned to Marine Air Group 14 as a Nuclear Biological Chemical Defense Specialist. Following his completion of active duty, Detective Sergeant Brown enlisted in the Marine Reserve where he was assigned to an Infantry Company as a Platoon Sergeant/ Guide. During his seven years in the Marines, he was promoted four times, three of which were meritoriously. Following his honorable discharge, Detective Sergeant Brown was hired by the Bernards Township Police Department where he spent over 18 years, 8 years as a Patrol Sergeant, in uniform, serving in both the Patrol and Traffic Divisions. He is highly decorated, receiving over twenty awards and commendations from the State, County and local levels of Law Enforcement. Some of his awards include New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association Merit Award, Bernard’s Township Officer of the Year, and the Somerset County Emergency Response Team Service Award (15yrs). Throughout his time with Bernard’s Township, Detective Sergeant Brown served as an Adjunct Instructor since 1993. During his time with the Academy, he has taught both at the recruit level and continuing education level and is highly regarded by his peers for his commitment to education. He has an Associate’s Degree of Science in Public and Social Services, a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Human Services from Thomas Edison State College, and a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Public Administration from Centenary College.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brian Giannini, B.A.

Continuing Education Administrative Coordinator/SCPAWeb Master

Detective

Somerset County Prosecutor's Office

E-mail: giannini@co.somerset.nj.us

Office Phone: (908) 541-5038

 

 

Det. Giannini is a retired New Jersey State Trooper. He began his law enforcement career in January 1979 when he graduated from the New Jersey State Police Academy in Sea Girt, New Jersey. In 1986, Det. Giannini completed his college education and earned a degree in Political Science from Kean University. He was awarded a gold ribbon for his outstanding work in the arrest and apprehension of drunk drivers and a green ribbon for his involvement in an outstanding criminal investigation within the County of Essex and the City of Newark. He also holds the rank of 1st degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. He obtained the rank of Detective Sergeant First Class before retiring in September 2004. He was hired by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office in October 2004. He was hired as the Critical Infrastructure Coordinator and remained in that position until he was hired as a detective in April 2006. Once hired, he was assigned to various units within the Prosecutor's Office, including the Special Investigations Unit, the Internal Affairs Unit, and the Fugitive Unit. In February 2013, Det. Giannini was assigned to the Somerset County Police Academy as the Continuing Education Supervisor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timothy Musto

Firearms Range Coordinator

Sheriff's Officer

Somerset County Sheriff’s Office

E-mail: musto@co.somerset.nj.us

Office Phone: (908) 541-5039

 

 

Officer Musto is a 23-year veteran of the Somerset County Sheriff's Office/Law Enforcement Division.  He attended Wilkes University in 1986 and began his law enforcement career in 1992.  Officer Musto is a Team Leader of the Somerset County Sheriff's Special Response Team (SRT) and was an adjunct instructor at the Somerset Police Academy from 1999 to 2002.  In 2004, Officer Musto joined the Detective Bureau where he coordinated and assisted in raids and was the liaison for state-mandated NJKIDS Child Support Services.  He has been a member of the Somerset County SWAT Team since 2010.  Officer Musto has received numerous Exceptional Duty awards, Letters of Commendation, and Sheriff Recognition awards during his career.  He has certification in Active Shooter Instructor, Flying Armed, Israeli IRD and Counter Terror for Police, Advanced Carbine Diamondback Tactical, Department of Justice-FBI Crisis Negotiations, Counterfeit Identification Training, Drug Recognition Expert, CJIS Agency Coordinator, Physical Fitness Instruction and Red Dragon Martial Arts.  Officer Musto is an assault rifle and sub-gun instructor and a certified range instructor for continuing education programs conducted by the Academy.  In July of 2015, Officer Musto was assigned to the Somerset County Police Academy as the Range Coordinator. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann Farrigan, B.S.

Office Manager

Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office

E-mail: farrigan@co.somerset.nj.us

Office Phone: (908) 541-5037

 

 

Mrs. Farrigan has been employed with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office since 1995 and has been assigned to the Police Academy where she oversees all administrative functions of the Academy. Mrs. Farrigan holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Health and Human Services with a minor in Criminal Justice from the University of Scranton. She completed her degree in 3½ years and is the recipient of the University of Scranton Excellence in Health and Human Services Award. Mrs. Farrigan has seven years’ experience as an inside sales/customer service manager in private industry where she has had extensive training in leadership and supervision. Since her employment with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, she has earned the Somerset County Police Academy Prosecutor’s Achievement Award, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Exceptional Service Medal, the New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office Managements Association Outstanding Service Award and was part of the Academy team that earned the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Prosecutor’s Achievement Medal for performance and contribution to the Academy as featured in the television documentary series “The Elite.” Mrs. Farrigan has also been recognized by the New Jersey Regional Community Policing Institute for her volunteer service with basic police recruits with respect toward community policing training